FCC wants new wireless networks to be open

Wireless consumers may have found themselves an unlikely ally in the battle against locked wireless networks: the FCC. In an interview with USA Today, FCC chairman Kevin Martin revealed there will be a tiny catch for whoever purchases that much-coveted slice of 700Mhz spectrum scheduled to go on the auction block by the end of January. "Whoever wins this spectrum has to provide … a truly open broadband network--one that will open the door to a lot of innovative services for consumers," Martin told USA Today. Martin said, in practice, this means users will be able to "use any wireless device and download any mobile broadband application, with no restrictions." Unless, of course, the software is illegal or could harm the network--which is a similar caveat that the Carterphone ruling created for wireline networks nearly 40 years ago. While the new rules would only apply to users of the 700Mhz spectrum, this could send a shock wave through the industry, as the spectrum is expected to provide some much-needed bandwidth (Martin himself suggests it could finally provide the elusive "third pipe to the home").

"I am concerned that we are seeing some innovations being rolled out more slowly here than we are in other parts of the world," Martin said. He explained that stripping out WiFi functionality from handsets and "locking" phones to a particular carrier's network are two practices that might be slowing the U.S.'s ability to innovate when it comes to wireless. Take heart, my friends, the day when you can use any handset on any network may be on the horizon.

For more on Martin's 700MHz comments:
- read this article from USA Today
If you missed our in-depth feature on the FCC vs. Skype:
- check it out here